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Is that for the 'Tacky Sweater' themed party? Oh its not? My bad.

While we have still been getting lucky with mid 60 degree weather in early November, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. And while Thanksgiving may bring lots of food, fall colors and families together, one thing it also brings is colder weather. I am still having a hard time parting from my wedges, bikinis and sundresses but I am looking forward to new winter boots, trendy new hats, and of course pumpkin spiced lattes from Starbucks. 

Much like many fashion trends, everything at one point in time comes back around. For example; holiday sweaters. Oh yes, the ones that your parents made you wear, that not only were itchy and matched your younger siblings, but had a giant reindeer or snowman plastered on the front. Here let me remind you.

Do I even need to tell you how awful that is? This is one trend I never thought would come back around, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised by anything. I mean how are you supposed to have a tacky sweater themed party when someone is showing up in these things on a regular basis? And not only are these sweaters a popular trend, the price of a piece of clothing you thought escaped your past, is even more ridiculous in some cases. Take a look.

Moncler Shawl Collar Reindeer Cardigan featured at Nordstrom.com $600.00

$600.00?!!! I know you gasped for air just like I did when I saw that. I honestly don't think I would be able to take my guy seriously or any other guy for that matter in this reindeer infested cardigan. Could you? No. Next up is a holiday sweater from American Eagle.

AE Reindeer Sweater $49.50

Not nearly as expensive, but almost equally as awful. I really think if my mom were to have kept my clothes when I was little a smaller version of this sweater would be discovered.

Now what kind of fashion blogger would I be if I didn't offer a more socially acceptable alternative? Certainly not a good one. But luckily I am here to help you around the holidays to pick a sweater where someone is not going to think you are on a dare to wear. 

Acceptable printed sweaters- So you want to be a little bit festive with your choice of sweater picking this season? You don't have to have little snowmen covering your sleeves or reindeer flying from left to right to get the point across that you dressed for the holidays. There are several prints that will still do the job. 

MALACHITE SWEATER $69.50 roxy.com

The colors in this sweater pretty much cover all of the holiday colors without all the tackiness. It is also available in many other color combinations.

ALPINE SWEATER $59.50 roxy.com

 What is that? Oh why yes it is a snowflake, but notice that it is the center of the sweater and it doesn't look like you just walked through a blizzard.

Holiday Hues-The colors red, green, black and winter white are very festive colors that winter brings.

Off-the-shoulder Tunic Sweater $49.50

Angel Bouclé Cowlneck Sweater $59.50

The Flirty Cardi Sweater $39.50

All sweaters available at www.victoriassecret.com

Glitz and Glam- The big trend this season is bling and lots of it, but sometimes people tend to get carried away covering themselves in sequin dresses, matching sequin shoes and a sequin hat. Way overboard. Here are some cardigans and sweaters that dress up the holiday season with a little glitz. 

Miss Me V-Neck Wool Blend Sweater $88.00 www.buckle.com

Long Sleeve Sequin Sweater $59.50 www.express.com

Some more helpful sweater tips? Certainly. 

1. My biggest fear when trying on sweaters is that I think they make me look bigger than I really am. But if you pair your bulky sweater with some skinny leg pants and some trendy boots you will be sure to make a positive fashion statement. 

2. You don't have to look like a trashbag that just stepped out of your mom's closet. Throw on some accessories to give your solid color sweater some personality. Try a sparkly chunky bracelet or even a headband to make your outfit more girly. 

3. Try a sweater over top of a dress for a different style than just pants. If it is too cold out throw on a pair of tights. 

4. If you are wearing a printed sweater make sure you wear a solid color bottom. You don't want to look like an explosion of textures and prints. 

5. Scarves and hats can be your best friends when trying to accessorize your sweater. 

Hope this helps this holiday season when you venture out to go sweater shopping.




Stay classy,
<3 Elizabeth

I wanna look like a guido/guidette from Jersey Shore. Clearly you need help.

I figured this would be an appropriate topic of discussion beings that I just got back from my first visit to Jersey. Although I did not go to the Jersey Shore, while I was visiting I happened to stumble upon a few things that caught my attention. First off let me introduce you to exactly what the Jersey Shore is, the show that is. And yes I am one of the 8 million viewers who has watched this show. According to wikipedia:


"Jersey Shore is an American reality television series that premiered on MTV on December 3, 2009 in the United States. The series follows the lives of eight housemates spending their summer at the Jersey Shore in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Season 2 followed the cast escaping the cold northeast winter to Miami Beach, with Season 3 returning to the Jersey Shore. The fourth season, filmed in Italy. MTV confirmed in June 2011 that Season 5 will return to Seaside Heights. The show debuted amid large amounts of controversy regarding the use of the words "Guido/Guidette," portrayals of Italian-American stereotypes, and scrutiny from locals because the cast members were not residents of the area."

But let me lay some cold hard truth on you... This show is a chance for you to make fun of these 8 cast members and ultimately feel better about yourself. There is nothing thought provoking, profound, or moving about this show unless you are inspired by gallons of spray tan and a whole lot of booze as well as watching what I like to call a trainwreck of a group of people. But one thing is for sure... Jersey natives dress to be talked about. Let's get started...

While I was in Jersey it was a must to stop in a tanning salon and what did I see on all the shelves? JWOWW tanning lotion. Oh yes this was very much real. And don't worry if you don't go tanning you can just buy globs of bronzer in a shade of orange. Same effect.

Picture from: www.tanforless.com

Next up is the fashion that Jersey Shore cast members think is okay. Now I like a good statement and this is a place where there are no stylists and the people wearing these clothes couldn't think they looked any better. (Another cold hard truth... You don't look good.) So there is plenty of opportunity for a statement, but when the statement your making is a walking talking disaster you should take another look in the mirror.  It really does take time and effort to look that bad so I will hand it to them for that. 

After you master the over baked/Tony the Tiger orange look you are now onto the fun stuff. 

1. Sunglasses. Turns out you really don't need to see out of the lenses. 

  

Now that is just ridiculous. She looks like she is from StarTrek. What is the purpose of sunglasses if you can't even see out of them. Unfortunately Snooki started this trend and now people are buying sunglasses and gluing gems on the front of them  because "its cool." IT IS NOT COOL! Do you wear these when you drive? Sure hope not. In fact you shouldn't ever wear these. 

2. A shade of obnoxious. The brighter the color, the more layered the graphics and if it glitters then you can bet that you will indeed look like you are from the Jersey Shore. And if you want to make your own, start by getting crayola paint and fist pumping it onto your own shirt, then adding some skulls or hearts and finally topping it off with some glitter or metallic. 

Image from MTV.com

3. Accentuating the muffin tops. There is nothing like dressing up your muffins because who wouldn't want to show them off? And on the Jersey Shore when shopping you find a dress in your size, but you buy the one that is 3 sizes smaller than what you actually wear. 

Image from :http://wwe-collections.blogspot.com

See how good that looks? (That was sarcasm) There is just no need for this. If you aren't a stick figure that is fine. There are clothes that won't squeeze the life out of you and you'll still have friends. I promise. 

I just can't grasp why anyone would want the kind of fashion attention that this cast brings. Yes, it is quite entertaining and maybe that is why they do it, but there comes a time when it just gets to be too much. If the Jersey Shore cast will wear it that should be a good indicator that you should not. 

Let the fashion disaster show begin!

Keep it classy, 

<3Elizabeth

Fall Into Fashion 2011

When it comes to the word "slacker" it could be my middle name in reference to the limited amount of blogging I did this summer. Yes, I could throw out a long list of excuses, but all I am going to say is... "I'm back and I'm sorry."

I have just recently joined with University Visitors Network (UVN) as one of their college fashion bloggers and I have to say I am really enjoying it. (You should check out their website too by the way.) So to kill two birds with one stone I decided to relate my post for both my personal blog and UVN's. So with that being said lets get this blog post startedddd!

Unfortunately my favorite season is over. RIP Summer 2011, you will be dearly missed.

As one season changes into another so do fashion trends. Hopefully everyone has been working hard this summer and was able to save up some extra cash for their new Fall 2011 wardrobe because this season there are some new and exciting colors, trends and accessories in store.

1. Mustard 

No not the condiment, the color. The hours I spend all summer long perfecting my sun kissed glow disappears completely when the weather starts to get cold. So if I were to wear this mustard color I feel like people would start to think I was sick. However, if you are someone who keeps your tan or cheats and goes to the tanning beds maybe you could give this color a try. Here are some affordable and trendy items.

Lyra Mustard Dress from Etsy

Mustard Yellow Lace Sweater from Etsy

2. Lace

Move over Victoria Secret lingerie apparel. You aren't the only one wearing lace this year. This is one trend you have to be careful with because if you overdo it with the "froufrou," the joke ends up on you. If there is one thing about fashion designer, Jason Wu it would be that he loves him some lace. Take a look at his RTW 2011 Fall collection. 

Images by: NewYorker

 P.S.- Yes that is a mustard colored skirt paired with lace. Two trends in one. Notice how Wu pairs one thing lace with a solid color avoiding too much pattern clash. Another tip to picking out your lace item is to avoid wearing too much of the cream color because then you just look like your grandma's curtain/tablecloth and who wants that? Not me.  But unfortunately us college students can't always afford to buy Wu's eclectic taste in lace, but there are some affordable, trendy solutions.

All items can be found at ModCloth

3. Vintage Chokers 

Dresses from the 60's and 70's have yet to fall out of style this year and with that being said, add a choker necklace and you have the very next trend. And this is no joke when I say the bigger and bulkier the choker, the more of a statement you are going to make. Here's a few I really liked.

Choker necklaces by Etsy

4. Bright Colors

This is one trend I never get tired of seeing from season to season and this Fall color is one thing that is not lacking. Just because it isn't summer anymore doesn't mean you should trade in your reds, yellows and oranges for browns, grays and blacks. Much like lace color should be worn in moderation. Take a look at some of the bold and bright colors incorporated in DKNY's Fall 2011 collection.

DKNY Collection- Photo Credit

Where to buy your bright colored clothes to stand out this Fall 2011?

All items can be found at TopShop

5. Plaids and Polka Dots

Tartan plaid and girly polka dots are two prints that seem to have taken off for Fall/Winter 2011. Take a look at the runway and how designers incorporated both designs in their collections and find out how you can get the look for less. 

From left to right, Rachel Comey, Steven Alan, Suno & Burberry. Photos: Imaxtree

Look for less? Items all available at ModCloth.

Keep it classy,
<3Elizabeth

Sunglasses at night= Tool

Splash Into Summer. Get the Look!

Well summer is officially here and what could be better than sunshine, sand and salt water? Oh I know. It’s the new fashion trends and with every passing season something exciting seems to blossom in the world of fashion. But when it comes to this season’s fashion the spectrum seems to be endless. Here are just a few of the most popular trends. 

Floral Print

         Even before the summer season officially kicked off, floral print seemed to be covering girls on campus from head to toe this past spring; literally. Girls were wearing the floral sunglasses, tops, high-waisted skirts and even their shoes were covered in plant life.  What floral print does for an outfit is add a little bit of a feminine touch. Even the top designers are including floral print in their Spring/Summer 2011 collections. Take a look straight from the runway.
 

Figure 1- D&G

Figure 2- Erdem

Figure 3- Jil Sander

But let’s face it. We are on a college budget. So what we are looking for is the cheap, but fashionable alternative to the newest summer statements.  

Forever21

Figure 4- Floral Escapade Dress Forever21- $12.50

Figure 5- Floral Print Dress Forever21 $11.50

Figure 6- Floral Slub Top from Forever21 -$13.80

American Eagle

Figure 7- AE Floral Pocket Cami $24.50

Figure 8- AE Floral Sweetheart Romper $39.50

Figure 9- AE Lace-Trimmed Floral Cami $24.50

Tribal Print

Not only has floral print been a popular pattern for summer, tribal print has also stepped foot into closets around campus. Want to add a little culture to your wardrobe? This print will do just that. So if you aren’t looking for the girly feminine style that floral print provides maybe try something a little more adventurous and ethnic. Here are some trendy options.

Figure 10- Tribal Cuffed Shorts Forever21 $15.80

Figure 11- Tribal Ikat Print Dress Forever21 $13.50

Bright Colors

And finally we have a trend that is back from the 80s. Can you guess it? If you guessed neon/bright colors you are right. If there is one thing that comes to mind when you think of summer it is bright and sunny so why not dress the part. Many of these bright and vibrant colors were featured on the S/S 2011 fashion runways with oranges and corals being the dominant colors. Just take a look at the color blocking on the S/S 2011 runway. If this doesn’t scream bright and bold I don’t know what does!

Image- http://mxdthingz.com/2011/05/11/hot-fashion-trend-2011-bold-colors-color-blocking-everywhere/

So you want the pulsating and vibrant look for less?

Dresses

Figure 12- Hera One Shoulder Forever21 $22.80

Figure 13- H&M Multistriped Dress $14.95

Figure 14- Fierce Blouson Dress Forever21 $27.80

Bottoms

Figure 15- Sparkle and Fade Paperbag Shorts Urban Outfitters $48.00

Figure 16- BDG Cigarette High-Rise Jean Urban Outfitters $58.00

Figure 17- Volcom Frochickie Short $24.99

Figure 18- RVCA Lotti Shorts $48.50

Keep it classy, 

<3 Elizabeth